Aster CEO: 'Claims Linking CZ and Binance to Dumping Are Untrue…On-Chain Burns and Buybacks Will Continue'

The project team has issued an official clarification regarding various allegations and negative rumors (FUD) surrounding Aster (ASTER).

On the 3rd, Leonard Aster, the company’s CEO, said via X (formerly Twitter), “Some claims surrounding Aster and the team are inconsistent with the facts and are attempts to mislead public opinion without any basis.” He added, “Not because these claims are worth attention, but because we believe they are unfair to the team and holders, we are stating our position.”

Leonard also acknowledged holders’ dissatisfaction with recent price action. “I understand that many holders are feeling frustrated due to recent price performance,” he said. “While short-term price is difficult to predict, I believe that over the long term, price will converge toward the intrinsic value created by the project and the tokenomics structure.”

He drew a firm line against speculation linking the project to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and allegations of dumping. “CZ is an advisor and Yzi Labs is an investor, but Aster is not a project controlled or operated by CZ or the Binance group,” Leonard said, adding that “Yzi Labs’ investment allocation is also under long-term lock-up.” He continued, “Claims that Aster was created for dumping or as exit liquidity are baseless.”

On the token selling and buyback structure, he explained: “Token issuance and buybacks, in line with the disclosed tokenomics, are structured to reward liquidity providers, traders, and long-term holders,” adding, “Recently, we introduced an on-chain automated daily buyback system based on funds generated from fees to enhance predictability and independence.”

Leonard also disclosed details of past token burns. “To date, we have bought back 254 million tokens, burned 78 million of them, and re-locked the same amount as airdrop allocations, reducing both total supply and circulating supply,” he said. “We plan to burn the remaining buyback amount as well, and buybacks and additional burns will continue.”

He also denied claims that Aster was created to target competing DeFi exchanges. “Aster is not intended to obstruct any specific project; we started because we determined there was a need for a privacy-focused derivatives exchange,” he said. “Competition drives innovation and builds better products.”

He also laid out the roadmap ahead. “We will sequentially roll out deeper liquidity, listings of a broader range of assets, the launch of a privacy-centric Layer 1, the introduction of staking, improvements to the trading environment, and a UI overhaul,” Leonard said, adding, “We plan to unveil the privacy Layer 1 and staking next month.”

Tokenomics adjustment measures were also disclosed. “This season (S6) will be the last trading airdrop,” he said, adding, “We will slow the pace of circulating supply growth and continue automated buybacks using up to 80% of fees.” He also noted, “Until staking is launched, we will temporarily suspend the monthly 1% unlock to reduce the unlock burden.”

Leonard added, “We are ready to provide on-chain evidence and audit materials,” and said, “We hope to be judged by execution, not speculation.”